Copyshop

Copyshop is the name for a shop and an information forum investigating the phenomena of copying. Copyshop offers products that challenge intellectual property. It can be modified originals, improved copies, political anti-brands – or a Supercopy as the new original. Intellectual property in the form of copyright, licenses and patents has an increasing importance on society – and for what we say, where we say it, and to whom we say it to. The right over ideas maintains the status quo within the current economic order. Copyshop discuss the control of value in the same place where it is produced and distributed: the market. As an active player the function of Copyshop will be as that of an ordinary shop. Copyshop was first time installed in a storefront in Copenhagen from 2005-2007 and then moved to Knoxville, Tennessee. Copyshop work as a franchise and can be reopened again.

COPYSHOP challenges intellectual property COPYSHOP is a place where you can photocopy everything from text to images. We use this name for a shop and information forum which will investigate the phenomena of copying. In COPYSHOP you will find products that challenges intellectual property. It can be modified originals, improved copies, political anti-brands. - or a SUPERCOPY as the new original. COPYSHOP will discuss the control of value in the same place where it is produced and distributed: the market. As an active player the function of COPYSHOP will be as an ordinary shop. Furthermore, COPYSHOP will function as a gathering point and network for a diverse group who share a critical view on intellectual property.

"Mans culture and technological development as we know it, is intrinsically connected to the free and unlimited right to copy"

- Morten Skriver, artist

“There has never been a time in history when more of our "culture" was as "owned" as it is now. And yet there has never been a time when the concentration of power to control the uses of culture has been as unquestioningly accepted as it is now”.

- Lawrence Lessig, lawyer and writer.

Intellectual property in the form of copyright, licenses and patents has an increasing importance on society - and for what we say, where we say it, and to whom we say it to. The right over ideas maintains the status quo within the current economic order. The last 10 to 20 years has seen an exponential rise in the extent of intellectual property. This is due to the economy of globalisation and to the spread of information technology. The fundamental legal concept is as follows: 'if value then right', or, to put it another way, 'where there is economic value there is intellectual property'. This expansion has caused different reactions. For example from the Open Source movement where the ownership of code hindered the best possible development of software. This caused, among other things, the operating system linux. In Brazil state sanctioned infringements of intellectual property has enabled the production of cheaper HIV medicine. We want to confront this development and produce, promote and sell products that challenge the concept 'If value then right'. Examples of products in COPYSHOP. FREE BEER - An open source beer. Black spot sneakers - Anti corporate sneaker power. Guaraná Power - Soda trying to use global brands as raw material Mecca Cola - The clash of colas.